IDOLiSH7 with Chinami (IDOLiSH7 Fan Fiction)

12 : What Happened

Everyone was happy for being nominated for the Japan's Idol Music Award, but they can't feel the spirit of it. Chinami had not been a part of the team for that long, but the sudden shift of the group's atmosphere was getting to her and all she could do was wear a long face. 

Everyone decided to cool their heads and get a deep breath of fresh air, to think and reflect on things. Chinami decided to stay for a while with Tsumugi and searched for the members in different areas of the park, suddenly bumping into Yaotome Gaku, the most desirable bachelor in Japan. 

"Ah," Gaku turned and flashed them a small smile. "so the two of you are here, too."

When Tsumugi and Chinami got close to where Gaku stood, two figures came into view; one head colored in pink, while the other in red. The two stood beside each other as they conversed. 

"They all want the same thing." Gaku suddenly started talking, breaking the ice, and pointed that the other way, revealing three approaching figures of Mitsuki, Nagi and Sogo. "Over there." 

Tsumugi turned the other way and saw Ryunosuke with Tamaki. Chinami turned the opposite direction and saw Iori and Yamato walking closer to where they were.

"Have the two of you ever seen us perform?" Gaku suddenly asked. Tsumugi had watched the performance of TRIGGER live, but Chinami only saw them on screen with Nana. "Wat did you think?" 

"TRIGGER was so cool and perfect. The overwhelming aura you gave off was fantastic." Tsumugi answered and Chinami agreed. She may not have been the biggest fan of idols but she couldn't deny to herself that TRIGGER indeed executed the perfect performance she had ever watched. And that was only on screen, what more if she had watched them on stage live? 

"I felt pure respect and emotion." Tsumugi continued. "I thought I was lucky to have seen something so wonderful, and now I can say that with pride. It's like when you look up at a rainbow." Tsumugi might not have noticed it, but Chinami saw Gaku look surprised with a tinge of sheepishness. "My dream is for IDOLiSH7 to surpass that rainbow."

The look of surprise suddenly turned into a small smile. "You..."

"IDOLiSH7 will surpass TRIGGER." Chinami stated this time, cutting in between the mysterious atmosphere between the two. "So please, stay within our reach so we can overtake you." 

Gaku smirked at Chinami. "For a twerp like you, that's quite a thing to say."

Chinami smirked, fighting back. "Well, of course."

"We won't lose." Gaku replied. "We're TRIGGER. We're ready to meet you."

After Riku and Tenn shook hands, Tenn turned to where Chinami and the others were after saying goodbye to Riku. He was shocked to see everyone huddled together, making Riku turn to where he was looking. 

"Guys..." Riku started then his eyes landed on Tsumugi and Chinami. "Manager, and Sendou-san."

"What are you doing?" Tenn asked his groupmates, turning to them with a bored look.

"We happened to pass by." Gaku answered. 

Ryunosuke chuckled before continuing. "We came to get you."

"Why?" Riku asked as everyone approached the twins. "Wait a minute, did you hear all of that?"

Everyone was in all smiles, while Chinami hid a smirk, making Riku feel embarrassed. 

"As long as we're all here," Yamato spoke up and came up with a suggestion, "why don't we think of ways to bet the president for forgiveness over some ramen?"

Everyone agreed as everyone started to talk about what to eat and where to go. The sudden talk of food suddenly lifted up their spirits, allowing them to finally talk to one another with comfort. 

"Chashu ramen!"

"With a side of fried rice!"

"Boiled eggs."

"I want pot stickers!"

"You can't have pot stickers without beer."

"Maybe I'll get a super spicy tantanmen."

"Takanashi-san," Chinami turned to Tsumugi, who she found walking closer after giving TRIGGER a bow, "can I have miso ramen?"

Tsumugi nodded and smiled. "Sure, then I think I'll have one, too." 

The night passed by as they all had midnight meals of ramen and a bit of alcohol with a bit of conversations. After which, Chinami went home with Tamaki and Iori bringing her home.

"You know, you don't need to bring me home." Chinami said, her head bowed to hide her distaste.

"It's late," Iori replied, "it might be dangerous for you to roam the streets at night."

"I could defend myself."

"With you being this small?" Tamaki, this time, said as he measured Chinami's height with his hand. "I doubt it."

"I have a pepper spray inside my bag, for your information."

"And if that didn't work?"

"It will." Chinami answered, this time with gritted teeth.

"Just let us walk you." Iori answered in annoyance. "The older members and the manager won't stop nagging us if we did."

"Then just tell them I forced you to and didn't have a choice." 

Iori glared and just continued walking like he didn't hear Chinami talk. The walk to Chinami's apartment was silent, except for Tamaki's whistling of Monster Generation. Tamaki's whistling might be annoying for Chinami, but it was better than the cold silence. 

"We're close." Chinami said. "You could stop from here."

"Sure." Tamaki nodded and turned the other way.

When Chinami faced her apartment, she found the lights of her room open. She didn't remember letting the light on. Panic started to squeeze her chest but shooed that feeling away. "See you later." She bid them goodbye before Iori could notice her pale face. 

"What's wrong?" Iori asked.

"Nothing." Chinami answered and started to walk away. "Bye."

"Wait!" Iori grabbed Chinami forearm and pulled her to a stop. "We'll accompany you to your room. Yotsuba-san, contact the police."

Tamaki was confused but still did what Iori told him to. They accompanied Chinami to her apartment and walked up the stairs. Immediately, Chinami noticed the door to her room to be slightly open, a tiny ray of light escaping  from her opened door. This time, she finally went into full panic mode and seemed to rush inside. Iori immediately stopped her.

"Let's wait for the police to come."

Chinami was speechless. She couldn't even argue with Iori and just stood there with her heart thumping deep within her chest. She felt weak but her legs somehow didn't give out. She stared out into nothing and didn't even notice the police finally arriving. The whole apartment building was suddenly thrown into disarray with the sudden arrival of the police officers. The soft touch on her shoulder made her turn to the person and the worried look of Tachibana-san finally made her knees go weak. 

Tachibana-san enveloped her into a tight hug, comforting the young girl who had experienced a lot. Iori and Tamaki were talking with the police when Iori's eyes landed on the crying girl.